Doing Business With China

My job has taught me that everything starts with numbers. In this case, let’s consider the population of China. Such a massive population of 1.3 billion makes China the world’s largest potential market. Evidently it is their geographic size, which contributes to their potential. The World Trade Organization which was founded to regulate the trade between nations, help producers of goods and services, exporters and importers conduct their business, held their fourth trade policy review just a few days ago. At the delegation in China, Assistant Minister of Commerce Yu Jianhua pointed out that China is one of the biggest influences contributing to stabilizing the world economy and trade. We depend enormously on our relationship with China, which is why it is essential that we conserve it.

Being triumphant takes dedication, hard work and effort. Today, China continues to triumph in aiding the world economy, and stabilizing a firmer market for prosperous profits to follow in the years to come. Some measures taken during this past delegation were to persist in continuous growth , expanding domestic demand and promoting imports and exports. All this would address efforts concerning trade partners. Today’s efforts will be tomorrow’s opportunities.

Importers and exporters that have the right connections with the right authorities are bound to be more successful. Approaching goals set forth with Chinese boundaries in essence would mean building a solid personal relationship prior to spelling out business. Chinese culture is one of the most distinguished cultures known to man. What may seem proper and “correct” to a Western mind, might be the complete opposite to another.

From my experience, the Chinese prefer to build a solid business relationship with individuals they know and trust. Guanxi, which means “relationship” in Chinese, is what the Chinese value.

Unless a company understands the Chinese business logic used to reach any outcome, nothing can be accomplished.As the GM of HP South Asia, Lim Chon–Phung once said; “A person who brings a buyer and seller together is more than a middleman, he vouches for the reputation of the one he introduces. Thus strangers doing business become strangers no more.” (Chon-Phung, 1999). What matters most is that a company delivers its promises in a timely manner, while being trustworthy. Only then may you seem attractive to potential Chinese prospects and have the opportunity to preserve a lasting relationship on a solid foundation.

About The Author

Lora was born and raised in Turkey. After graduating from Notre Dame De Sion in Istanbul, she got her bachelor degree in Labor Economics & Industrial Relations from University of Marmara. In 1997, she came to New Jersey to continue her education at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her last stop was in New York at Parsons The new School of Design. She speaks Turkish, French, English, Armenian fluently. She has been living in New York since 1999. Lora’s background is in active sales for the international freight forwarding industry. She is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at MTS Logistics Inc and has been with MTS for almost 11 years.
Fun Fact: Lora was a professional swimmer, and competed at the highest level in Istanbul.